Movie review: Performance

MOVIE REVIEW: This impeccably acted drama set in the world of contemporary classical music was originally released in the US as A Late Quartet.

To avoid any confusion with the recent British arthouse hit Quartet, a change of title has been applied.

On the eve of their 25th season together, a world-renowned string quartet is on the brink of falling apart.

The most significant member - a steadying, sensible presence on and off the stage - has been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

The two married players at the core of the line-up are heading briskly and brusquely towards a divorce. As for the fourth member ... well, he also has a crisis of his own making, which is yet to be revealed to the others.

A brooding, well-observed work, Performance is a film that gets so many of the "the little things" right. Particularly when it comes to canvassing the fragile inter-personal dynamic that powers creative musical ensembles.

The cast is flawless, with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener holding everything together as the couple crumbling to bits. Christopher Walken is also remarkable here, possibly playing his first "normal" character in decades.

News.com.au's Privacy Policy includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including to provide you with targeted content and advertising based on your online activities). It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or seek correction of your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how we will deal with a complaint of that nature.